The Arrogant Worms are a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

musical

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

trio founded in 1991 that parodies many

musical genre A music genre is a conventional category that identifies some pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions. It is to be distinguished from ''musical form'' and musical style, although in practice these terms are some ...

s. They are well known for their humorous on-stage banter in addition to their music. The members since 1995 are Trevor Strong (vocals), Mike McCormick (guitar, vocals), and Chris Patterson (bass, vocals).

History

The Arrogant Worms came together in 1991 to do a few spots on

campus radio Campus radio (also known as college radio, university radio or student radio) is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively created or produce ...

station

CFRC CFRC-FM (101.9 MHz) is the non-commercial campus radio station at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The station has one of the longest radio histories in Canada, with experimental broadcasts dating back to 1922 and serves Que ...

Queen's University at Kingston Queen's University at Kingston, commonly known as Queen's University or simply Queen's, is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Queen's holds more than of land throughout Ontario and owns Herstmonceux Castle in East Suss ...

, and quickly moved to doing spots on

CBC Radio CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...

, particularly on Jack Farr's ''

The Radio Show ''The Radio Show'' was a Canadian radio show, which aired on CBC Radio from 1983 to 1992. The show incorporated some aspects of a conventional radio talk show, filtered through the warped comedic sensibilities of host Jack Farr. John Doyle, "The Ra ...

''. Founding members were Strong, McCormick, John Whytock, and Steve Wood. Wood left the band in 1991, and Whytock left in 1995. He was replaced by Patterson. The Worms have toured Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, playing to crowds as large as 100,000. They have played at celebrations on

Parliament Hill Parliament Hill (french: Colline du Parlement, colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Its Gothic revival suite of buildings, and their architectu ...

in Ottawa, and at a concert in New York's

Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West Side, Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the List of New York City parks, fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban par ...

. Since 1992 the Worms have released twenty-one albums, mostly independently, with sales exceeding 175,000. Their songs pay homage, always humorously, to different genres and topics. In 2003, they released a CD and DVD that was recorded live with the

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Edmonton, Alberta. As the professional orchestra of Alberta's creative capital city it presents over 85 concerts a year of symphonic music in all genres, from classical to co ...

. Some of their albums include contributions from prominent musicians, including Andy Thompson, Andrew Affleck, Gord Thompson, Adrian Dolan, Mike Ford, John Loughrey, Terry Tufts and Tim Readman, who is also their dialect coach.

Rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fol ...

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

, and

children's music Children's music or kids' music is music composed and performed for children. In European-influenced contexts this means music, usually songs, written specifically for a juvenile audience. The composers are usually adults. Children's music has hi ...

all have been genres parodied by the Worms. When not spoofing a particular style of music, the Worms' material pokes fun at various aspects of daily life in Canada with songs like "Canada's Really Big", "Me Like Hockey", "We are the Beaver", "I Am Not American", and "Proud to Be Canadian". They have also recorded

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

s for three songs: "Big Fat Road Manager", "Carrot Juice Is Murder", and "The River (River of Snot)". The first two of these are included on the ''

Three Worms and an Orchestra ''Three Worms and an Orchestra'' is a DVD of a performance of the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. It includes their most popular songs performed live, as well as two music video A music vide ...

'' DVD, which includes appearances by

Tom Cavanagh Thomas Cavanagh (born October 26, 1963) is a Canadian actor. He is known for a variety of roles on American television, including starring roles in '' Ed'' (2000–2004), ''Love Monkey'' (2006) and '' Trust Me'' (2009), and recurring roles on ...

Nathan Fillion Nathan Fillion (; born March 27, 1971) is a Canadian-American actor. He played the leading roles of Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds on '' Firefly'' and its film continuation '' Serenity'', and Richard Castle on '' Castle''. , he was starring as J ...

and

Kurt Browning Kurt Browning, (born June 18, 1966) is a Canadian figure skater, choreographer and commentator. He is the first skater to land a ratified quadruple jump in competition. He is a four-time World Champion and Canadian national champion. Career ...

. The band has long supported the cause of

literacy Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, huma ...

in Canada, and have twice won the

Peter Gzowski Award The Peter Gzowski Award (originally styled the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit) is an award given annually bPeter Gzowski Invitationalin memory of Peter Gzowski Peter John Gzowski (July 13, 1934 – January 24, 2002), known col ...

for their efforts.

Discography

Studio albums * ''

The Arrogant Worms The Arrogant Worms are a Canadian musical comedy trio founded in 1991 that parodies many musical genres. They are well known for their humorous on-stage banter in addition to their music. The members since 1995 are Trevor Strong (vocals), Mike McC ...

'' (1992), Independent * ''

Russell's Shorts ''Russell's Shorts'' is the second studio album of the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms The Arrogant Worms are a Canadian musical comedy trio founded in 1991 that parodies many musical genres. They are well known for their humor ...

'' (1994), Festival Distribution * ''

C'est Cheese ''C'est Cheese'' is the third album of the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms. It was released in 1995. It was the last album for co-founder John Whytock, and the first appearance of Chris Patterson, who replaced Whytock on bass gui ...

'' (1995), Festival Distribution * ''

Christmas Turkey ''Christmas Turkey'' is a Christmas-themed album released in 1997 by the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms The Arrogant Worms are a Canadian musical comedy trio founded in 1991 that parodies many musical genres. They are well kno ...

'' (1998), Festival Distribution * ''

Dirt! ''Dirt!'' is the sixth album by the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms, released in 1999.Michael P. J. KennedGoing Top Shelf: An Anthology of Canadian Hockey Poetry/ref> Track listing All tracks by The Arrogant Worms The Arrogan ...

'' (1999), Independent * ''

Idiot Road ''Idiot Road'' is the seventh album by the Canadian musical comedy group The Arrogant Worms. It was released in 2001. Track listing Background According to band member Trevor Strong, the song "Worst Seat on the Plane" was never performed l ...

'' (2001), Independent * ''Beige'' (2006), Independent * ''SPACE'' (2014), Independent * ''The First Farewell Album'' (2016), Independent * ''Fan Funded Songs 2017'' (2017), Independent * ''Fan Funded Songs 2018'' (2018), Independent * ''Fan Funded Songs 2019'' (2019), Independent * ''Fan Funded Songs 2020'' (2020), Independent * ''Fan Funded Songs 2021'' (2021), Independent Live albums * '' Live Bait'' (1997), Independent * ''

Semi-Conducted ''Semi-Conducted'' is a live album by the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms, recorded on January 22, 2002, and backed by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. It was released the following year. Actual footage of the show was recorded a ...

'' (live with the

) (2003), Independent * ''

Toast! ''Toast!'' is a live album by the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms, which was recorded live in Hugh's Room, Toronto, Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in th ...

'' (2004), Independent * ''

Torpid Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor enables animals to survive periods of reduced food availability. The term "torpor" can refer to the time ...

'' (2008), Independent Compilations * ''Gift Wrapped'' (2002), Oglio Records * '' Hindsight 20/20'' (2013), Independent * ''Completely Canadian Compilation'' (2015)

Videos

* ''

'' (DVD of ''Semi-Conducted'' performances and other original music videos) (2004)

Misattribution

The Arrogant Worms are frequently mis-credited (on the internet and otherwise) as having written and/or recorded songs such as "The White House Burned (The War of 1812)" and "

The Toronto Song Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie (aka 'The Trolls') was a Canadian comedy group from Edmonton, Alberta formed in 1987. Their credits include numerous stage productions, a television show and five albums. The Trolls did sketch comedy, often on risqu� ...

" (both of which are by

Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie (aka 'The Trolls') was a Canadian comedy group from Edmonton, Alberta formed in 1987. Their credits include numerous stage productions, a television show and five albums. The Trolls did sketch comedy, often on risqu� ...

), as well as Vito Petroccitto Jr's recording of "The Assumption Song". Other frequent mis-attributions, according to their official website, include "Cows With Guns" by

Dana Lyons Dana Lyons is an American folk and alternative rock musician, who wrote and performed the 1996 comedic folk song "Cows With Guns". Life He was born in Kingston, New York, grew up in Niskayuna, New York, and graduated from Swarthmore College in ...

and "Wayne Gretzky Rocks" by The Pursuit of Happiness. This has occasionally led to fans requesting these songs during encores of their live shows. On a similar note, the

Captain Tractor Captain Tractor is a Canadian folk rock band, based in Edmonton, Alberta. They play a punk-influenced variant of Celtic folk music, similar to such bands as Great Big Sea, The Pogues or Spirit of the West. Their songs are often rich in local, ...

cover version of the Worms' "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" is often simply credited to the Arrogant Worms themselves, or Captain Tractor is credited with having written the song.

References

External links

Official website

Biography

Discography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arrogant Worms Canadian comedy musical groups Musical groups from Kingston, Ontario Musical groups established in 1991 1991 establishments in Ontario Nerd-folk musicians